From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful that overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortress-like cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

Musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) visits Barnes & Noble to discuss and sign his new graphic novel, Orchid, the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her on Tuesday July 24, 2012 at 7:00 PM.

Special Instructions
Note: This is a wristbanded event. Please check back for complete event guidelines.

Norwalk, CT, March 21, 2012: Chicago native and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Tom Morello and noted musician Claudio Sanchez will be appearing at this year’s Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2). In addition to their significant music credits, both Morello and Sanchez are well-recognized in the comic community for their writing talent. Best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and his acoustic solo act The Nightwatchman, Morello will conduct a panel on Friday, April 13, 6:15pm – 7:15pm and will also do a signing. Sanchez, an American writer and musician best known for being the lead singer and guitarist for the alternative/progressive rock group Coheed and Cambria, will be at C2E2 throughout the weekend and will promote his latest work and greet fans in the Evil Ink booth.

C2E2, which is organized by the producers of New York Comic Con (NYCC), will take place April 13 – 15, 2012 in the North Building at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Tom Morello’s Orchid, which tells the tale of a sixteen-year-old street prostitute in a dystopian future, is currently being released in twelve issues through Dark Horse Comics. Notes Morello: “Orchid is part SuicideGirl, part Joan of Arc, who becomes the Spartacus of Whores in a story that merges the epic scope of Lord of the Rings with the politics of street terrorism.” Meanwhile, Claudio Sanchez has created and co-written Key of Zwith his wife Chondra Echert which has recently been published by Evil Ink Comics. Sanchez has noted that music occupies a central theme in the series which takes a new look at zombies in a post-apocalyptic New York City through the eyes of a security guard to an up-and-coming politician before the zombie outbreak. Sanchez is also the creator of the comic book series The Amory Wars and Kill Audio.

“Tom Morello and Claudio Sanchez are hugely influential musicians and so it’s cool to have them at C2E2 under any circumstance,” notes Lance Fensterman, Event Director for C2E2. “But what makes their appearance especially great is that they are coming to our show as comic artists, notmusicians. Both Tom and Claudio are accomplished comic creators and they have thousands of fans who will be eager to meet and greet them. They are typical of the range of talent at C2E2 and their appearance only underscores how the pop culture world embraces all the arts. We’re very proud and honored to welcome them to C2E2.”

ABOUT TOM MORELLO: A guitar superhero best known for Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and his acoustic solo work as folk balladeer the Nightwatchman, Morello also writes a comic series for Dark Horse Comics called Orchid, about a teenage prostitute struggling for justice in a dystopian future. In addition to echoing his present-day social concerns, the comic series has a score written by Morello, with a free song available with each issue.

ABOUT CLAUDIO SANCHEZ: Claudio Sanchez is creator of the hit comic series’ Key of Z; The Amory Wars: The Second Stage Turbine Blade and In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3; and Kill Audio. He is also the co-author of Year of the Black Rainbow, a novel written with Peter David and founder of Evil Ink Comics.

For further information about other guests and activities at C2E2 as well as purchasing tickets, please visit www.C2E2.com.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration VI, Fantasy Football Fest, and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Tom Morello and Blair Butler both have signings at Golden Apple in January! G4’s Fresh Ink host Blair Butler signs her new comic Heart on Wednesday, January 11th at 6pm. Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and The Nightwatchman) signs his comic Orchid on Saturday, January 14th at 1pm.

Tom Morello as The Nightwatchman, accompanied by the Freedom Fighter Orchestra will take the stage at the IGN Theater on Thursday, October 13th at 7:30PM at the Javits Center to play a riveting set for the New York Comic Con Kick-Off Concert.

The Grammy award-winning artist released The Nightwatchman World Wide Rebel Songs on August 30th and has been taking the country by political storm, one city at a time.

“The core of The Nightwatchman is dark matter,” says Tom Morello. “But at the heart of every struggle, there’s hope. So this is an album of rousing hopelessness—it’s part Johnny Cash and part Che Guevara, part beacon light and part arson fire.”

Tom Morello’s graphic novel Orchid, which tells the tale of a 16-year-old street prostitute ina dystopian future, will be released in twelve issues through Dark Horse Comics will be on sale October 12th. Orchid features a variant coverby the well-known and influential street artist Shepard Fairey, with interior art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic).

“Orchid is part Suicide Girl, part Joan of Arc, who becomes the Spartacus of Whores in a story that merges the epic scope of Lord of the Rings with the politics of street terrorism.” – Tom Morello

Headlined by DJ Z-Trip, the concert is free to all VIP’s and 4-Day ticket holders BUT seating is first come, first served and will be extremely limited due to size of the auditorium and popularity of theevent. Ultimate Access, Special Access, and Anime Access VIP ticket holders will be guaranteed to get into the show first; then, 4-Day ticket holders will belet in until the auditorium is full. The concert is open to all 4-Day ticketholders on a first come, first served basis and we cannot guarantee that all 4-Day ticket holders that want to attend the show will be able to get in.

“I’m stoked and honored to be playing alongside Tom Morello at the New York Comic Con. He’s one of my favorite guitarists of all time, and I’ve always admired the level of consciousness hebrings to the table. This show is gonna be great. Can’t wait to read his new comic too.” – DJ Z-Trip

Tom Morello is appearing courtesy of Dark Horse Comics, New York Comic Con and Midtown Comics – who will be selling Orchid#1 exclusively at the Kick-Off Concert.

“The world is in flux,” Tom Morellosays. “People are standing up and fighting for their rights around the globe. It’s an important juncture we’re at—is anyone going to stand up? The Nightwatchman will stand up, and this is the soundtrack for that struggle.”

In an era of chaos and turmoil aroundthe globe, the voice of The Nighwatchman is needed now more than ever. With so many artists all too willing to abdicate any position of protest and challenge, Tom Morello, and the international concerns of his World Wide Rebel Songs, offeressential tools for the social justice struggles of today.

About Tom Morello
Tom Morello is a Grammy Award-winning guitarist best known for his tenure withthe bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act, The Nightwatchman. Tom is also the co-founder of the nonprofit organization Axis of Justice. The Harvard educated guitarist was ranked #26 in Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and has sold over 30 million records.

About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products basedon popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

About Midtown Comics
Midtown Comics opened its first shop in 1997, and has become the leading comic book retailer in the U.S., withits online store as well as at three landmark NYC locations: Times Square, Grand Central, and Downtown. The hottest titles are all here: DC-The New 52, Batman, Green Lantern, Captain America, Thor, Flash, Fear Itself, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Hellboy, Spider-Man, X-Men, Superman, Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Wolverine, Flashpoint, and more. Midtown offers the best independent, or alternative, comics selection as well, including Persepolis, Maus, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Scott Pilgrim, LoveandRockets, and so many more. The best online comic book subscription service is also found at Midtown’s online store, with no deposit and no commitment.

FREE poster revealing never-before-seen art from the upcoming comic The Immortal, adapted from an acclaimed Japanese novel and written by Ian Edginton (Scarlet Traces, Star Trek: Early Voyages, Warhammer 40,000)

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a The Thing movie T-shirt and free digital comics! Read the FREE digital prequel comic of The Thing now!

2:30 p.m. Star Wars—Andrea Mutti

Find out what Star Wars series Andrea Mutti (Rage) will be working on at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15).

3:30 p.m. The Massive—Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson (DMZ)

4:30 p.m. Star Wars: Jedi—The Dark Side—Scott Allie and Mahmud Asrar

6:30 p.m. Dr. McNinja—Christopher HastingsSaturday, October 15

10:30 a.m. Mass Effect—Mac Walters

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. The Last Dragon—Jane Yolen and Rebecca Guay

FREE face painting inspired by The Last Dragon! FREE miniprint to the first one hundred people in line for the signing.

12:30 p.m. House of Night—Jenny Frison

Get Marked! FREE House of Night face painting during the signing with cover artist Jenny Frison! FREE House of Night poster. And the first twenty-five people in line for the signing will receive a copy of The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P. C. Cast with Kim Doner from St. Martin’s Press!

1:30 p.m. Beasts of Burden—Evan Dorkin

1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Last Airbender—FREE face-painting event

2:30 p.m. Dragon Age—David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw

FREE print to the first one hundred people in line to meet the lead writer and lead designer of Dragon Age!

3:30 p.m. Angel & Faith—Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs

4:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

SEPTEMBER 28, MILWAUKIE, OR—As anticipation grows for what has become the fastest-growing comic show in the country, Dark Horse gives fans the first taste of what to expect at this year’s New York Comic Con!

The full schedule of Dark Horse programming can be found below:

Friday, October 14

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Room 1A15

DARK HORSE PRESENTS: 25 YEARS OF PUBLISHING AND BEYOND

Join Dark Horse’s senior managing editor, Scott Allie, and director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, for a look at all that the publisher has on tap for the coming year. In addition to news about all of the hot new fall titles, likeOrchid, The Strain, and House of Night, we look to 2012 for a sneak peek at what fans can expect in not only the company’s flagship anthology Dark Horse Presents, but also Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more! Guests include Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Orchid), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, The Massive), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny X-Force, The Punisher), Jerome Opeña (Fear Agent, The Punisher), Tony Moore (Fear Agent, The Walking Dead), and more!

Saturday, October 15

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Room 1A15

BUFFY AND ANGEL PRESENT: DARK HORSE DOES VAMPIRES RIGHT!

Dark Horse Comics invites you to attend a special panel highlighting the growing number of comics featuring vampires! In addition to the highly successful Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, we introduce you to other titles, like Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s Baltimore, P. C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night, and Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain! Join Dark Horse’s managing editor, Scott Allie, director of public relations,Jeremy Atkins, and Angel & Faith’swriter Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs, as well as a few surprise guests, for a panel you can really sink your teeth into. If that’s not enough, every attendee will receive a free copy of Angel & Faith #1!

4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Room 1A24

DARK HORSE AND BIOWARE PRESENT: MAPPING THE MASS EFFECT UNIVERSE

With comics, novels, movies, and a third game on the horizon, Mass Effect has become one of the largest science-fiction franchises in the world. Join Mass Effect lead writer Mac Walters, along with Dark Horse’s director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, and director of custom programs, Nick McWhorter, for an exploration of what makes Mass Effect so special! Fans will get a firsthand look at the upcoming comics series Invasion and the art book The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, as well as a taste of Mass Effect 3! With announcements to be made, surprise guests, prizes, and giveaways, we couldn’t give you more reasons to attend!

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

Room 1A03

DARK HORSE SPOTLIGHT: MIKE MIGNOLA

With Hellboy dead, and the B.P.R.D. and the world at large in shambles, what’s next for this elite team of paranormal investigators? Enter the mind of creator Mike Mignola for a spirited discussion of the future of Hellboy, the B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Edward Grey, and a world that has spawned television, novels, video games, and more. Attendees will be rewarded with exclusive insight, announcements, and even a special giveaway!

6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Room 1A24

CREEPY AND EERIE: ALL HALLOW’S EVE EDITION

Discuss the new Dark Horse Creepy series, the classic age of the Warren Creepy and Eerie magazines, and all the exciting things coming up in the Creepy universe with a bone-chilling panel including Louise Simonson, Joe Harris (“The Curse” from Creepy #1–#3), and a number of other special guests. Moderated by New Comic Company’s twin engines Dan Braun(Creepy) and Josh Braun(A History of Violence). Plus, there will be Creepy trivia questions with swag and prizes!

Watch the Dark Horse blog for further announcements on signings, in-booth events, green-screen photo ops, and so much more!